September 2013

2013-2014 Environmental Center Seed Grant Applications

Seed Grants for up to $4,000 are available to faculty or teams of UNF personnel that include at least one tenure track faculty member. The grants are intended to facilitate the creation or maintenance of multidisciplinary projects related to environmental research. Seed grant funds may be used for faculty stipends, OPS wages for students and allowable materials/expenses directly related to proposed project.

The Division of Continuing Education at the University of North Florida is launching a new certificate program called Leadership in Sustainability Management. The program is designed for professionals seeking the necessary skill and knowledge to become a sustainability officer, existing managers looking to enhance or preserve a role within their companies and early-career professionals who seek to augment their education and employability with applied knowledge in sustainability management. The program is open to students who are new to sustainability or experienced professionals.

The UNF Environmental Center is hosting a planning meeting for the upcoming Garbage on the Green event, which takes place on Oct 23. Garbage on the Green is a yearly waste audit and recycling education event. There will be information available at the planning meeting regarding volunteering and a limited number of paid postions.

"Do the Math" is a 42-minute documentary film about the rising movement to change the terrifying math of the climate crisis and challenge the fossil fuel industry. The film chronicles climate crusader Bill McKibben as he works with a rising global movement in a David-vs-Goliath fight to change the terrifying math of the climate crisis. There will also be information, available about the upcoming Power Shift 2013 summit in Pittsburgh, Penn. Representatives from colleges and universities throughout Florida are planning to attend Power Shift, and they are currently signing up interested students from UNF.

Cost: Free for all UNF faculty, staff and students. Contact James Taylor for details on free registration.

The Northeast Florida Green Chamber facilitates the growth and promotion of sustainable businesses in Florida and the Southeast by providing opportunities for networking, education, business development and collaboration. Join the Northeast Florida Green Chamber on the first Friday of each month for an informal gathering of like-minded professionals and individuals interested in connecting with others to share ideas on Green Business.

This luncheon will feature Mr. Beau Baker of Holland & Knight. Mr. Baker will share his experience helping private companies navigate the complex legal issues of expansion, transition and investment and talk about what it takes to expand your company. Mr. Baker will also discuss the qualifications it takes with an established business model to qualify for funding to become a premier part of his venture-capital group.

The Duval Audubon Society, founded in 1939, is one of 44 chapters of Florida Audubon and a member of National Audubon. Our chapter is dedicated to the enjoyment of birds and other wildlife. We have a primary focus on the preservation of a diversity of species and habitats through education, conservation, environmental leadership and community involvement. We offer a variety of field trips and programs that are open for anyone to attend.

Join us at our first meeting fall meeting and hear Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida, speak about all the local parks and public lands that anyone can go out and enjoy.

Sponsor: U.S. Green Building Council North Florida Chapter and the UNF Environmental CenterDate: Sept. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.Location:Adam W. Herbert University Center

Cost: $15.00-$25.00

Inspired by PechaKucha and Ted Talks, USGBC North Florida brings you 20.40 Talks, a series of four events throughout the year designed to unleash the creativity of our region and foster sustainability in our region. Each event will gather three thought-leaders offering diverse perspectives on how to create a fully sustainable community by the year 2040. Each speaker will communicate his/her vision with 20 images, 40 seconds per image.

Location: Meet at the Eco-Adventures office (Next to Parking Services, Building 52)

Date: Sept. 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Come join the UNF Environmental Center for a guided hike of the Sawmill Slough Preserve, which is a 382-acre protected area located right here on the UNF campus. During the hike, hear from Justin Lemmons, Environmental Center ecologist who is currently working on the Campus Natural Assets Inventory (CNAI), which is a project aiming to inventory all of the plant and animal species found in the Preserve.

There are open volunteer days at the UNF Organic Garden, located behind Lot 18 near the skatepark. No need to register, just show up ready to get your hands dirty! Make sure you wear proper clothing and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

Worldwide, thousands of volunteers will spend their morning collecting millions of pounds of litter and debris on inland roadsides, coastal areas, inland lakes and rivers. Keep Jacksonville Beautiful will assist volunteers in Jacksonville to be part of this worldwide effort to clean and protect the environment by eliminating debris that injures wildlife, contaminates our beaches and waterways and threatens boater safety.

There are volunteer locations throughout Jacksonville, but the UNF Environmental Center is organizing a UNF clean up at Jacksonville Beach.